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Van Persie doesn’t need rest says Ferguson

By on April 4, 2013

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has claimed that United forward Robin van Persie does not need a rest, despite having not scored in United’s last nine games.  Van Persie, 29, scored twenty-three goals for United since joining the club from Arsenal in the summer, but has been on his longest drought with United having not scored for the club since February 10 in a Premier League match against Everton.  The Dutchman did claim United’s winner against Sunderland on Saturday, but the goal was recorded as an own goal by Titus Bramble.

With the Manchester derby looming, United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has denied rumors that Van Persie’s goal drought is due to him being overworked, and has said that he will not be rested for the derby on Monday night.

“Robin doesn’t need a rest, that’s for sure,” Ferguson said. “He’s a strong lad with a great physique. It is disappointing that he wasn’t awarded the goal at Sunderland, but I can understand that because it took a wicked deflection.

“His shot was fantastic. It was hit with such venom that it’s not surprising it took a deflection, but his ability to manoeuvre his position at that point was excellent.

“The goals will come.  All strikers have little dry spells and you always hope it ends quickly, but it’s just part of being a striker.

“You have to get through that period and not lose your faith and belief in yourself. My dad always used to say make sure you batter the ball when you’re in there, don’t tap it or try and side-foot the ball in the net, batter it!

“That’s what I always tell strikers – when you get in the position make sure you hit it. If the goalkeeper saves it, you can say ‘what a great save’

“ But if you try to side-foot it in and the keeper just catches it easily, you’ll get criticized for that.”

Van Persie still maintains an impressive 0.58 goals per game average, and the twenty-nine-year-old scored three goals for Netherlands during the international break.  He will need to be on top form for the Manchester derby, with Ferguson looking to avoid a repeat of United’s 6-1 loss to Manchester City last year.  The Red Devil’s do have received good news, because Wayne Rooney and Rafael da Silva have returned to training following groin and hamstring injuries.

Van Persie in action against Sunderland

Van Persie in action against Sunderland

About Alex Morgan

Alex Morgan, founder of Football Every Day, lives and breaths football from the West Coast of the United States in California. Aside from founding Football Every Day in January of 2013, Alex has also launched his own journalism career and hopes to help others do the same with FBED. He covers the San Jose Earthquakes as a beat reporter for QuakesTalk.com and his work has also been featured in the BBC's Match of the Day Magazine.